Mediation is True Justice, not a Lesser One: CJI Sanjiv Khanna Launches Mediation Association of India
(Judicia Quest News Network)
New Delhi, May 3 — In a landmark push towards transforming India’s dispute resolution landscape, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday launched the Mediation Association of India, calling mediation a “wise” and “humane” form of justice that treats the root cause of disputes, unlike traditional court litigation.
Speaking at the First National Mediation Conference 2025, CJI Khanna emphasized the transformative potential of mediation in healing relationships, resolving disputes holistically, and alleviating the burden on the judicial system. “Mediation is not a lesser form of justice — it is a wiser one,” he declared to a hall filled with jurists, lawmakers, and members of the legal fraternity.
The event, graced by President of India Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court Judge Justice B.R. Gavai, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, marked the formal inauguration of the national-level body aimed at institutionalizing mediation across India.
Mediation as a Healing Process
In his keynote address, CJI Khanna contrasted mediation with court adjudication, noting that while litigation often results in a “winner-loser” outcome, mediation fosters understanding and reconciliation. “Courts can be grim and shallow at times. They may deliver a verdict, but not necessarily a solution that heals. Mediation digs deeper — it identifies the root cause, untangles misunderstandings, and preserves relationships,” he said.
He explained that unlike legal battles bound by procedure and adversarial logic, mediation allows for flexibility, emotional nuance, and mutual resolution. “Disputes are rarely black and white. Often, both parties carry some share of fault. Mediation offers the space to untangle those complexities without coercion or judgment,” he added.
7.5 Lakh Cases Settled Through Mediation Since 2016
Highlighting mediation’s growing impact, CJI Khanna shared that between 2016 and early 2025, over 7.57 lakh cases were successfully resolved through mediation in India. However, he stressed that mediation still needs broader recognition and deeper integration into the country’s dispute resolution culture.
“Our goal must be to demonstrate to every citizen, every businessperson, that mediation is not an afterthought — it’s a primary, powerful, and dignified mode of justice,” he said.
Mediation Association of India: A National Platform
The newly formed Mediation Association of India aims to bring together all stakeholders — professional mediators, trainers, academic institutions, legal professionals, PSUs, corporates, and civil society organizations — under one umbrella to promote mediation as a mainstream method of conflict resolution.
President Murmu Advocates Mediation Revival in Villages
President Droupadi Murmu, in her address, highlighted India’s rich tradition of community-based justice systems like the Panchayats, which resolved disputes amicably without court intervention. “Unfortunately, colonial rulers imposed a legal system that sidelined our indigenous mediation practices. The new Mediation Act seeks to bridge that gap and restore our legacy,” she said.
She also emphasized the need to empower village-level mediation mechanisms, stating, “Ideally, disputes should be resolved in villages, not travel to courts. True justice is one that ends with sweetness, not bitterness.”
Legal Education Must Embrace Soft Skills
Echoing the sentiment, CJI Khanna called for a revamp of legal education to include soft skills essential for mediation, such as emotional intelligence and active listening. “Mediation is a deeply human process. Textbooks alone can’t teach empathy or trust-building. These must be cultivated through hands-on learning and role-play,” he said.
A Cultural Shift Toward Mediation
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal referenced Indian mythology to underscore mediation’s cultural roots: “Every dispute begins with dialogue. Even Lord Krishna tried to mediate peace before the Mahabharata war. Now, for the first time, we have a standalone Mediation Act to honor that legacy.”
National Mediation Day Proposed
Attorney General R. Venkataramani proposed that May 3 — the date of the launch — be observed annually as India’s National Mediation Day. Echoing this optimism, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed hope that India could one day become the headquarters of a Global Mediation Association.
“This gathering feels like the awakening of a new era — one where justice is not just about winning, but about restoring dignity and harmony,” Mehta remarked.
